1st and 2nd Amendment
The First and Second Amendments of the United States Constitution
On September 25, 1789, The Bill Of Rights was submitted to the states for approval, based on the previous Constitution's insufficient assurances for civil freedom, liberties and justice. Concerned that the Constitution neglected to clearly state the basic civil rights of the citizens of the United States, Anti- Federalists opposed the Articles of Confederations, which gave state governments more authority (“Bill of Rights, n.d.). As a result the first tem amendments commonly known as The Bill of Rights was approved by congress in 1791, undeniably guaranteeing citizens of The United States essential and important rights. The 1st and 2nd amendments are perhaps the most predominant, dominant sections of the Bill of Rights. The following essay will explain the contents of the 1st and 2nd amendments; it will also examine and analyze current controversies relating to the two amendments.
The 1st amendment of the Constitution granted citizens of the United States a prestige award by “prohibiting Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. (“First Amendment” n.d.). As a result of these, paramount ratifications’ Americans were granted five key components which include the freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly and the right to petition the government. The 1st amendment includes many privileges’ and protections for the citizens of America for example it prohibits congress from establishing a national religion or showing preference of one religion over another. The next clause in the Amendment is the freedom to freely practice one’s religious beliefs. The Amendment also adds the freedom of speech which entitles Americans the ability to freely express their opinion
On September 25, 1789, The Bill Of Rights was submitted to the states for approval, based on the previous Constitution's insufficient assurances for civil freedom, liberties and justice. Concerned that the Constitution neglected to clearly state the basic civil rights of the citizens of the United States, Anti- Federalists opposed the Articles of Confederations, which gave state governments more authority (“Bill of Rights, n.d.). As a result the first tem amendments commonly known as The Bill of Rights was approved by congress in 1791, undeniably guaranteeing citizens of The United States essential and important rights. The 1st and 2nd amendments are perhaps the most predominant, dominant sections of the Bill of Rights. The following essay will explain the contents of the 1st and 2nd amendments; it will also examine and analyze current controversies relating to the two amendments.
The 1st amendment of the Constitution granted citizens of the United States a prestige award by “prohibiting Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. (“First Amendment” n.d.). As a result of these, paramount ratifications’ Americans were granted five key components which include the freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly and the right to petition the government. The 1st amendment includes many privileges’ and protections for the citizens of America for example it prohibits congress from establishing a national religion or showing preference of one religion over another. The next clause in the Amendment is the freedom to freely practice one’s religious beliefs. The Amendment also adds the freedom of speech which entitles Americans the ability to freely express their opinion
References: Davis v. Federal Election Commission (2008) Retrieved October 11, 2009 from U.S Supreme Court Media Oyez http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2007/2007_07_320 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA et al Engel v Vitale. (1962). Retrieved October 13, 2009, from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engel_v._Vitale First Amendment to the United States Constitution (n.d.) October 11, 2009 from Wikipedia Retrieved April 9, 2007, from http://straylight.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/03 -1500.ZO.html The New York Times Co. v. Gonzales (2006) Retrieved October 14, 2009 from Likelihood of Confusion http://www.likelihoodofconfusion.com/?page_id=553 United States Bill of Rights